Composition for tanning.



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IRA I. BURROWS, OF POOLVILLE, TEXAS.

COMPOSITION FOR TANNING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 9, 1909.

Application filed November 16, 1908. Serial No. 462,925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRA I. Burrows, a citizen of the United States, residing at Poolville, in the county of Parker and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Composition for Tanning; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in compounds for tanning hides, skins, pelts, etc., and the object in view is to produce a composition of this nature, comprising a liquid bath adapted to receive the hides after the same have been subjected to the usual depilating process, the bath containing a solution of the fluid extract of phytolacca or common poke root, as defined in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia of 1900, alum and gum gambier.

In carrying out my process in order to avoid loss of time, the hides or pelts are first soaked in water until soft, then placed in a depilating bath consisting perferably of one gallon of strong lime and five gallons of water, the hides being allowed to remain in the depilating bath for from two to twelve hours or until the hair slips, after which the hides are unhaired in the usual manner and afterward subjected to a bath of clear water and allowed to remain for twenty-four hours until all trace of the lime has been eliminated. The hides are then placed in a bath in the proportion of four gallons of Water, which has preferably been boiled, to quarter of an ounce of fluid extract of phytolacca or poke root and, after being agitated therein, four pounds of gum gambier are added to the bath and stirred until thoroughly dissolved, after which one pound alum is added and dissolved. The hides or skins after having been dipped several times in the bath thus formed are allowed to remain in the solution for several hours until tanned, requiring usually from two to twelve days. After the hides are tanned, they are removed, rinsed in clear water and treated preferably with fish oil and dried in the shade; After this process, a superior leather thoroughly tanned is produced.

V'Vhat I claim to be new is A composition for tanning, consisting of the following ingredients in the proportions set forth :water, four gallons, fluid extract of phytolacca or common poke root, quarter of an ounce, gum gambier, four pounds, and alum, one pound.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

BEN. E. ONLENELL, M. T. MoKINNoN.

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